It’s Monday, September 22nd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Adam McManus
South Korean pastor has disappeared
A week after Pastor Son Hyun-bo from Busan Segyeoro Church in South Korea was arrested for violating public election laws, little information has been made public about his well-being or whereabouts, reports International Christian Concern.
Pastor Son, who was arrested on September 8th, is facing the charges in part for allegedly interviewing an election candidate, Jeong Seung-yoon, during a church service and uploading a video of the conversation to social media. He also faces allegations of holding a “prayer service for victory” at Jeong’s campaign office and stating, “We must vote for the right-wing candidate and truly establish God’s kingdom.”
Pastor Son has been active in contending against government overreach, including serving as a leader of the “Save Korea” group, which campaigns against the current left-leaning South Korean President Lee Myung, prime minister, and Democratic Party, who are in power.
The outcry against Pastor Son’s arrest has been strong. One representative stated openly that, “Pastor Son’s arrest is not about an individual but a suppression of all religious figures.”
Charlie Kirk’s memorial pointed the world to Christ
I felt compelled to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial at State Farm Arena in Phoenix, Arizona yesterday. (You can watch it here)
So, on Friday and Saturday, my bride, Amy, and I drove 15 hours over two days from San Antonio, Texas with our three children – Honor, age 15, Mercy, age 13, and Valor, age 10 – to celebrate his life and grieve his death at the hands of an assassin’s bullet on September 10th at Utah Valley University.
Reportedly, 300,000 people from across America came by car and plane. Our family sat in the State Farm Arena which held 63,400 people. Next door, the Desert Diamond Arena held an additional 20,000 people who watched big video screens.
Beginning with Christian worship led by Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, as well as Cody and Kari Carnes, it was a deeply moving experience as speaker after speaker echoed Charlie Kirk’s call to come to Christ.
Benny Johnson came to faith in Christ through Charlie Kirk
Benny Johnson, a conservative influencer, was quite candid.
JOHNSON: “When Charlie first met me, I was a degenerate loser. I was addicted to alcohol. I had no wife, I had no kids. I had nothing going for me. After 10 years of work with Charlie Kirk, after his witnessing to my life, I have become a Christ-centered man. I am happily married to the woman of my dreams, sitting right there with our youngest son, who just turned eight months.”
He framed the assassination of Charlie Kirk in light of the truth of Genesis 50:20.
JOHNSON: “What man intends for evil. God intends for good. Evil thought that there would be a funeral today. God has created a revival right here in this house right now.” (applause)
Indeed, through the 3,200 chapters of Turning Point USA not only are more college students equipped with the truth, but many are coming to Christ.
Frank Turek: Why Charlie Kirk is in Heaven
Frank Turek is a Christian apologist who mentored Charlie with the best answers to tough questions about Christianity.
TUREK: “I want you to know that Charlie right now is in Heaven, not because he was a great husband and father. Not because he saved millions of kids out of darkness on college campuses. Not because he changed minds and chased votes to save the country. Not because he sacrificed himself for his savior. Charlie Kirk is in Heaven because his Savior sacrificed himself for Charlie Kirk.”
Tucker Carlson: “The only real solution is Jesus.”
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson explained what made Charlie Kirk unique.
CARLSON: “The main thing about Charlie and his message, he was bringing the Gospel to the country. He was doing the thing that the people in charge hate most, which is calling for them to repent.
“So how is Charlie’s message different? Charlie was a political person who was deeply interested in coalition building and in getting the right people in office because he knew that vast improvements are possible politically. But he also knew that politics is not the final answer. It can’t answer the deepest questions, actually. The only real solution is Jesus.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted Charlie’s boldness and affirmation of marriage
Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted Charlie Kirk’s boldness.
RUBIO: “Charlie Kirk was bold. He actively sought out to engage –peacefully, respectfully — those who he disagreed with. As recently as two days ago, we learned of one of the hosts on CNN, who said that one of the messages he had gotten just a few days before Charlie’s passing, was from him, inviting him to dialogue.
“And he did this on campuses. He did this on podcasts. He did this on radio shows. He did this on television shows. Time and again, he sought to engage those he disagreed with because he understood that we were not created to isolate ourselves from one another, but to engage.
“The irony in all this is that what our nation needs is the ability to discuss our differences openly, honestly, peacefully, respectfully. And Charlie Kirk did that more than anyone alive in America today is doing. This was the mission and work of Charlie Kirk.”
And Secretary of State Rubio appreciated Charlie’s affirmation of marriage and family to young people.
RUBIO: “Understand where we are still today. In many places where young Americans are actively told that everything that they were taught, that all the foundations that made our society and our civilization so grand, they were all wrong. They were all evil, that marriage is oppressive, that children are a burden, that America is a source of evil, not of good, in the world.
“And here was this voice that inspired a movement in which young Americans were told that is not true, the highest calling we are called to is to be in a successful marriage and to raise productive children.”
War Secretary Hegseth: “Live worthy of Charlie Kirk’s sacrifice and put Christ at the center”
War Secretary Pete Hegseth explained that Charlie Kirk used the gift of persuasion on college campuses.
HEGSETH: “Charlie waged war, not with a weapon, but with a tent, a microphone, his mind, and the truth. And the gates of hell could not prevail against him.” (Matthew 16:17-19)
Secretary Hegseth spoke of Christian revival.
HEGSETH: “Charlie started a political movement, but unleashed a spiritual revival. My pastor texted me the day after that horrific event and said, ‘Pete, the devil overplayed his hand.’ Charlie started with liberty, but ended up lighting our country on fire for Christ. He started Turning Point USA, but this moment is the turning point for the USA.”
And Secretary Hegseth gave America a charge in light of Charlie Kirk’s Christian legacy.
HEGSETH: “Charlie Kirk was a citizen who had the biblical heart of a soldier of the faith, who put on every single day the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) with a smile as the Scriptures tell all Christ followers to do. Charlie Kirk: a warrior for country, a warrior for Christ. He ran the race. He finished the fight. Now, it’s our turn. My charge to all of you: Live worthy of Charlie Kirk’s sacrifice and put Christ at the center of your life as he advocated for giving his.”
Colossians 1:10 says, “Live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
Donald Trump, Jr. compared Charlie Kirk’s martyrdom with Stephen
Donald Trump, Jr. compared the martyrdom of Stephen with the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk.
TRUMP JR: “Last week, Charlie joined a long line of courageous men and women who were martyred for what they believe. According to the book of Acts, the first martyr in the early Christian church was Stephen who was stoned to death. And as Stephen was being killed, he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing, standing, at the right hand of God.’
“There are many times in the Bible where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, but this is the only time he’s seen standing. And while the Bible isn’t explicit about this, I like to think Jesus was standing to welcome Stephen, the courageous martyr into Heaven. Today. that gives me great comfort because 11 days ago, as a cowardly assassin crawled on his stomach to end Charlie’s life on Earth, I’m betting Charlie saw the son of God standing tall to welcome him home.”
Vice President J.D. Vance admired Charlie Kirk’s courage
Vice President J.D. Vance shared that he’s been personally emboldened to share his faith more since Kirk’s assassination.
VANCE: “You know, I was telling somebody backstage that I always felt a little uncomfortable talking about my faith in public as much as I loved the Lord and as much it was an important part of my life. I have talked more about Jesus Christ in the past two weeks than I have my entire time in public life.” (cheers)
Vice President Vance is upset that some on the Left actually cheered Charlie Kirk’s death.
VANCE: “He was taken from us by those who despise the virtues that actually made our civilization great to begin with: dialogue, truth, seeking family and faith. In the wake of his death, we have seen some of the very worst parts of humanity. We have watched people slander him. We have watched people justify his murder and celebrate his death.”
And Vice President Vance admired Charlie Kirk’s courage.
VANCE: “It is better to face a gunman than to live your life afraid to speak the truth. It is better to be persecuted for your faith than to deny the kingship of Christ. It is better to die a young man in this world than to sell your soul for an easy life with no purpose, no risk, no love, and no truth.”
Joshua 1:9 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Erika Kirk forgave her husband’s killer
And finally, Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, who will now serve as the CEO of Turning Point USA, said something remarkable that brought all of us to our feet.
ERIKA KIRK: “On the cross, our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34)
“That man, [Tyler Robinson], I forgive him. (applause as she wept) I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it’s what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer, we know from the Gospel, is love, always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Ephesians 4:32 commands, “Forgive one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Monday, September 22nd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.